Abstract: A two-dimensional bar code printed on a piece of paper is photographed by the area sensor. A reading method of this bar code includes a process for correcting the distortion of the image of the two-dimensional bar code obtained from the area sensor by the projection transform, a process for correcting bright spots appearing in the image, and a process for decoding the two-dimensional bar code based on the image data of the two-dimensional bar code corrected by the two processes. This invention enables size-reduction of the reading device of the two-dimensional bar code and also achieves a higher reading speed of the reading device.

Abstract: A personal authentication system of this invention has a card reader, in which a bar code reading device for reading a two-dimensional barcode containing personal data, a CMOS image sensor for producing face data by photographing the face of a person, and a fingerprint reading device for producing fingerprint data by reading the fingerprint of the person are assembled as one unit. A personal computer performs a projection transform and a brightness correction to the barcode read by the card reader for acquiring accurate data. Then, the personal data, the face data, and the fingerprint data are compared with database for authenticating the person. Therefore, this invention achieves more accurate personal authentication and leads to improved security.

Abstract: A personal authentication system of this invention has a card reader, in which a bar code reading device for reading a two-dimensional barcode containing personal data, a CMOS image sensor for producing face data by photographing the face of a person, and a fingerprint reading device for producing fingerprint data by reading the fingerprint of the person are assembled as one unit. A personal computer performs a projection transform and a brightness correction to the barcode read by the card reader for acquiring accurate data. Then, the personal data, the face data, and the fingerprint data are compared with database for authenticating the person. Therefore, this invention achieves more accurate personal authentication and leads to improved security.

Abstract: A two-dimensional bar code printed on a piece of paper is photographed by the area sensor. A reading method of this bar code includes a process for correcting the distortion of the image of the two-dimensional bar code obtained from the area sensor by the projection transform, a process for correcting bright spots appearing in the image, and a process for decoding the two-dimensional bar code based on the image data of the two-dimensional bar code corrected by the two processes. This invention enables size-reduction of the reading device of the two-dimensional bar code and also achieves a higher reading speed of the reading device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for centrally controlling a plurality of electrical apparatuses in which radio communication is performed between a host unit and terminal units registered in the host unit and each terminal unit is disposed for each of the plurality of electrical apparatuses. The terminal unit controls the corresponding electrical apparatus based on a control signal from the host unit by the radio communication, and detects the state of the electrical apparatus to report it to the host unit. The radio communication is not directly performed between each electrical apparatus and the host unit, and the terminal unit is interposed therebetween, so that the radio communication is performed between a centralized control device and a terminal device. Therefore, electrical apparatus do not require a radio transmitter/receiver mechanism, and is only provided with a function by which data can be exchanged the terminal unit.

Abstract: A frame buffer stores pixel data for each pixel. The pixel data are converted into color data according to color data at a corresponding address in a first look-up table (LUT). An overlay memory stores change data representing presence/absence of color change for each pixel and change pixel data. According to contents of change pixel data in the overlay memory, color data at a corresponding address in a second look-up table are read, thereby converting the change pixel data into color data. To display an image, data stored in both of the frame buffer and the overlay memory are read for each pixel. To perform color change, the change pixel data are used instead of the pixel data. When change data in the overlay memory indicate presence of color change, change pixel data are converted into color data with reference to the second look-up table. Then the color data are exhibited on a CRT display.